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They might be too young to abuse opioids themselves, but America’s kids are suffering nonetheless because of their drug-dependent parents. New research shows more than 600,000 American parents with kids under 18 are addicted to opioids. That amounts to almost 1% of parents of minors, most of whom aren’t getting treated, the study found. In addition, about 4 million parents have substance abuse problems, such as alcoholism. Many in both camps have mental ills as well. “For parents, the opioid crisis is also a mental health crisis,” warned study author Lisa Clemans-Cope. “The co-occurrence of opioid use disorder and behaviors that signal suicide risk is a national emergency for families.” Clemans-Cope is a principal research associate with the Urban Institute’s Health Policy Center, in Washington, D.C. Linda Richter, of the Center on Addiction in New York City, said addiction increasingly threatens the American family. “Addiction is an intergenerational disease,” said Richter, who wasn’t involved in the study. “Few children living in homes with parents who have an opioid use disorder grow up unscathed.” Researchers reviewed results of the U.S. National Survey of Drug Use and Health conducted between 2015 and 2017. They identified roughly 44,500 parents living with children under 18. Their responses were then used to generate national estimates. The study found that only a third of addicted parents are getting the care they… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Some 40 million Americans wear contact lenses to correct vision disorders, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, if not worn or taken care of properly, contact lenses pose risks to users. To avoid infection or injury, the FDA urges users to: Replace your contact lens storage case every three months. Clean and disinfect your lenses properly. Always remove contact lenses before swimming. Never re-use lens solution. Never use saliva to clean your lenses. Do not wear lenses overnight.

You don’t have to go to the gym for a strength-training workout. With these three moves, your own body weight provides the resistance needed to develop key muscles. Start with the classic wall sit. Press your back into a wall and slide it down the wall as you walk your feet out in front of you, bending at the knees. Your thighs should be parallel to the floor and make right angles with your calves. Try to keep shoulders relaxed. Hold for up to 90 seconds, return to standing and repeat. For a challenging twist, once you’re in the wall-sit position, straighten your right leg out in front of you, holding it parallel to the floor for five seconds, return and switch legs. As the exercise becomes easier to do, increase the number of times you alternately straighten legs while holding the sit. Jumping jacks, an old standby, are still effective and offer a cardio workout as well. Here’s how to make them more fun and more challenging: Start by standing with feet together, arms at your sides and then jump out with feet as wide apart as is comfortable as arms lift out to the sides and up to shoulder-level. When you jump back in, cross your right arm over your left at mid-chest and cross your right leg over your left leg. Jump… read on >

Lentils are super nutritious legumes that sometimes take a backseat to beans because they’re not always as readily available and aren’t sold precooked in cans like many beans are. But, unlike most dried beans, lentils don’t need to be soaked overnight before using and they cook up quickly. In fact, when making lentils, the key is to not overcook them. Lentils have a high-level nutrition profile. Green, red, black, yellow or brown, they’re rich in protein, minerals and fiber. They can be used in many tasty ways and in a variety of cuisines from Indian dals to French lentil salads. The following recipe uses sweet and spicy peppadews, a small South African pepper found in the pickle aisle or the olive section of many grocery stores. As an alternative, use roasted red peppers instead. Sweet and Tangy Lentils 1 cup dry lentils, brown, green or red 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 scallions, chopped 1 cup roasted peppadew or red bell peppers, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper Zest and juice of 1 lemon 2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled 1/4 cup chopped parsley Place lentils in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook 10 to 15 minutes for brown or green lentils, five to 15 minutes for red lentils. Warm the oil in… read on >

It’s almost time for long summer weekends and backyard barbecues. And you may be wondering if a day or two of burgers and beers does any long-term damage to your body. A new Australian study suggests that if you normally have a healthy lifestyle, you can relax and enjoy the feasts. The study found that the body adapts and quickly bounces back from an occasional day of gluttony. “If you normally have a healthy diet and get plenty of physical activity, don’t feel too bad about occasionally overeating,” said study author Glenn Wadley. He’s an associate professor from Deakin University’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition in Burwood. But the study doesn’t give you license to binge every weekend. “From a health perspective, short-term overeating is really best confined to infrequent special occasions, like during festivals and holidays. We aren’t advocating that binge eating is OK,” Wadley said. Obesity has been rising in the United States and other parts of the world for decades. Wadley and the study’s lead author, Dale Morrison, wondered what impact short-term overeating might have on the body’s metabolism. More specifically, they wanted to see how the body handled a short-term spike in blood sugar (glucose) levels, and whether that temporary change in eating patterns had any lasting effect. “We had hypothesized, based on earlier studies, that the liver would be… read on >

When you’re exercising this summer, don’t forget to take care of your feet. “Foot health contributes to your overall health. From beginners to advanced athletes, proper foot care is important to keep your body healthy,” said Dr. John Giurini, chief of podiatric surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. One of the most common foot problems for active people is a condition called plantar fasciitis. It’s an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue in the arch of the foot. “Under normal circumstances, your plantar fascia helps absorb the shock of pounding on pavement,” Giurini said in a center news release. “But repetitive stretching can lead to inflammation and irritation, and even small tears.” Overuse can cause plantar fasciitis, but it also occurs without an obvious cause. Being flat-footed, having a high arch, being overweight or doing work that keeps you on your feet all day put you at risk. “Most cases can be treated conservatively with rest, ice and stretching to give the inflammation time to heal,” Giurini said. “In some cases, steroid injections and surgical procedures may be necessary to alleviate this pain.” Blisters are another potential foot problem. “This is where proper shoe fit is important, as are socks,” Giurini said. “Breaking in new shoes gradually can help prevent a blister. Wicking-type of socks that absorb sweat… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Fitness boxing is a popular way for adults to stay fit. Unlike regular boxing, fitness boxing does not involve sparring, so there is no risk of head trauma, says Harvard Medical School. Instead, participants throw punches at the air or at a punching bag. Harvard mentions these benefits: Increased upper-body strength. Better hand-eye coordination. Increased aerobic fitness. Improved mood. Better balance.

An immersion blender is one of the handiest tools you can have in the kitchen. Not only does it let you whip up a soup or sauce in seconds, it stores easily in a drawer. Put your immersion blender to work making homemade mayonnaise, which you can enjoy plain or flavor any way you like. To master the basic recipe, use light olive oil (not extra-virgin) or sunflower oil, because both have a lighter flavor and make homemade mayo taste more like the store-bought kind you’re probably used to — minus all the preservatives. In terms of technique, one key is to use the tall blender cup that comes with most immersion blenders (but any tall, slender plastic measuring cup will do). A second key is letting the oil rise to the top of the cup after you’ve added all the ingredients. This will allow the egg to emulsify as you blend. Finally, be sure to place the working end of the immersion blender at the very bottom of the container before you turn it on. As the mayo emulsifies and forms a thick white cloud, slowly tilt the blender to allow it to draw in the remaining oil. Basic mayonnaise can be enhanced with flavorings like a quarter-cup of roasted and chopped red bell peppers, two or three chopped hot chilies or a teaspoon… read on >

Low-carb, vegetarian, Mediterranean — whatever your diet, it’s important to get enough protein. Although research hasn’t yet pinpointed one perfect formula, experts say that the typical “recommended” daily minimums aren’t optimal, and that it helps to factor in your weight and activity level to determine how much protein you personally need. A good baseline for people who exercise at a moderate level is between one-half and three-quarters of a gram of protein per pound of bodyweight. If you weigh 150 pounds, for example, eat between 75 and 112 grams of protein per day. To lose weight, diets with higher amounts of protein — between 90 and 150 grams a day — are effective and help keep you from losing muscle along with fat. Since the body uses protein most effectively when you have it at regular intervals, divide your daily intake into four equal amounts for breakfast, lunch, a snack and dinner. If you work out at a high level, consider eating another 50 grams of protein before you go to bed to help with overnight muscle repair. You might be familiar with calorie counting, but it’s also important to know how to tally your protein intake. While one ounce of chicken weighs 28 grams, it contains only about 9 grams of protein. So it takes a 3-ounce portion to deliver 27 grams of protein,… read on >

Only half of Americans routinely protect themselves from the sun when outdoors, a recent American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) survey found. Those who don’t practice sun safety put themselves at increased risk for skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the United States, despite being one of the most preventable cancers. One in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their life, the AAD estimates. Just one serious sunburn in childhood or the teen years can nearly double a person’s risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, later in life. Because May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the AAD is encouraging Americans to “practice safe sun.” “Exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer, and there are many simple things you can do to protect yourself from the sun,” AAD President Dr. George Hruza said in an academy news release. Seek shade when possible, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun’s rays are strongest. Wear protective clothing, such as a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing. Reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. “It’s also important to remember to protect parts of… read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

More Than 600,000 Opioid Abusers Raising Kids in U.S.

Health Tip: Contact Lens Safety

Weight-Free Strength Training

How to Cook With Luscious Lentils

Body Adapts, Recovers From Occasional ‘Pigging Out,’ Study Finds

Keeping Your Summer Fun on Sound Footing

Health Tip: Benefits of Fitness Boxing

Homemade Mayonnaise Made Easy

How Much Protein Do You Need for Weight Loss and Muscle Growth?

Cover Up! Don’t Soak Up Those Sun Rays